FLEIN Sauvignon Blanc – Non-alcoholic grape juice

FLEIN Sauvignon Blanc grape juice from Cantina Kurtatsch

The FLEIN Sauvignon Blanc grape juice from Cantina Kurtatsch is a varietal grape juice from South Tyrol, hand-picked and completely alcohol-free. It is not a concentrate or a dealcoholized wine, but the juice of a single grape variety under the Flein brand.

The FLEIN Sauvignon Blanc grape juice from Cantina Kurtatsch is a varietal grape juice from South Tyrol, bottled in the 750-milliliter Flein brand bottle. The grapes are grown on steep slopes between 450 and 500 meters, hand-picked, and pressed with great care. The result in the bottle has 0.0 percent alcohol while retaining the distinct aroma of a Sauvignon.

Green apple, fresh grape, green bell pepper

The juice appears straw-yellow in the glass, and its scent immediately reveals the grape variety, as Sauvignon Blanc never hides its character.

The first sip is led by a bold fruit sweetness, but the acidity of 9.5 grams per liter provides a counterpoint, keeping the juice fresh rather than heavy. Herbal notes and a fine zest remain where other grape juices would have long since faded to mere sweetness.

This tension between sweetness and acidity is the true feat, determining whether a grape juice can hold its own at the dinner table or is merely relegated to a children's drink.

As an aperitif and with Schlutzkrapfen

As an alcohol-free aperitif, FLEIN juice takes the place usually reserved for a glass of white wine, without anyone at the table having to compromise on taste.

It pairs perfectly with pasta, South Tyrolean Schlutzkrapfen, grilled dishes, and freshwater fish, and also stands up well alongside a fruity dessert. Served well-chilled at 8 to 10 degrees, it should be poured into a large wine glass rather than a water glass, as it needs space for its aroma to unfold.

Those looking for the sparkling version can find it in the Flein Fizz made from Muscat, and other alcohol-free companions can be found in our alcohol-free wines section.

Early harvest to preserve acidity

Flein utilizes its own dedicated parcels that were never intended for wine production. On sand and gravel soils with a high dolomite content, the Sauvignon vines ripen slowly, and the cool nights above the Adige Valley help preserve the acidity.

The timing of the harvest is crucial, as the grapes are picked earlier than they would be for wine. A fully ripe grape would yield too much sugar and not enough acidity. After gentle pressing, only the clear primary juice is processed, leaving behind the bitter substances from the skins and seeds.

Bottling is performed cold, and the juice is only briefly heated to ensure the aromas reach the bottle intact. Harald Cronst oversees this process for Cantina Kurtatsch, together with two partner estates and in accordance with a written charter agreed upon by all three.

An evening without alcohol, without compromise

The FLEIN bottle sits in a cooler on the table, alongside thin-rimmed glasses, a plate of mountain cheese, and wafer-thin slices of speck. Anyone choosing not to drink alcohol that evening can still enjoy the same glass as everyone else.

Once opened, the juice stays fresh in the refrigerator for a good three days, after which the zest begins to fade. The bottle provides four to six glasses. More from the south of South Tyrol can be found in the Cantina Kurtatsch assortment. Alcohol-free does not have to be bland.